Working on a Thanksgiving Day project/request

[Crazyraceguy]

I have been asked to make a far less complicated board. She needs a charcuterie board for the feast, so it doesn't need to be end grain. The main request it to have a particular logo engraved into it, which is easy enough. I already tested that in some scrap MDF.
It turns out that things like this have to satisfy me too  [blink] so, I have to complicate it  [big grin]

I made a preliminary test this morning. I'm not super happy with it though. The contrast is just not there, but I didn't have any Walnut handy. This particular White Oak is fairly light, so the Maple doesn't stand out much, though finish might change that some?  The handle is half-lapped into the face, so it looks different on the back.
I have drawn out a few different radii for the corners, still undecided? It still needs some final shaping, round-overs, etc. This was just a test of an idea and playing with it sparked more.
She actually wants two, not matching, so this one may make the cut, while look for some different wood.
This might also spark more requests.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Very nice! I really like the handle design!

This is what I greatly enjoy with woodworking, coming up with all the little design tweaks to make it "just right"!

 

[Michael Kellough]

Yeah, that half-lap handle is cool!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Tanks guys, I really appreciate the input. Not all "creativity" is great. An idea is not automatically good, just because it's mine.  [unsure]

The thing I realized, while test fitting this is that it looks pretty cool, with the handle turned over. Instead of the half-lap making it flush, this raises the handle above the table. It just needs a little bevel, to knock the square edge off of it. You could even skip the half lap of the handle part and just do the main board, as an in-lay, that extends over the edge.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=58857]Crazyraceguy[/member] Looks good.

For the top side with the half lap consider pinning the ends of the maple on the board with through dowels of either oak or walnut.

On the other side maybe inlay a rectangle or square of the same wood you did on the front from the board to the handle base.

then maybe run a spline of the same wood choice catching a bit of the board down the length of the handle on both sides. Keeps it complicated enough to keep you interested and adds a lot of visual impact.

Ron

 

[jeffinsgf]

I think you'll get the contrast you're looking for when you oil it. Love the half-lap design. I'll assume that's an Origin project?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I think you'll get the contrast you're looking for when you oil it. Love the half-lap design. I'll assume that's an Origin project?

I think you're right Jeff. I expect the Oak to darken and the Maple to do very little.
I have also considered doing the vinegar/steel wool wash, to enhance the Oak, since it won't do anything to the Maple.

Thanks [member=3192]rvieceli[/member]  I like the idea of trying to reinforce the handle to the board, on the bottom. It is just end-grain there and I supposed it could crack that joint, if it were to be dropped or struck in some way?
Maybe it needs a bow-tie? I have some blank coins to inlay, but I don't think it could add much as far as strength?
I have also considered cutting the end of the handle and adding some kind of pommel? A wooden ring? in a contrasting color or back to the White Oak?